The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1887-04-13


castle form turtle backs, giving,
with the sheer lines, quite Il light
and graceful appearance to this i'm
mense structure of over 800 tons
weight when down to her Board Of
Trade load water-line. One of the
most striking features is the fine
promenade deck, which extends 230
feet, and reaches across the whole
breadth of the ship. 1t stands up
22 feet above the water-line. and
thus commands a broad and extend
ing horizon. 1t will be much APP
preciated by the passengers for
dancing and other amusements, and
is in itself a saloon with the awnings
spread, and lighted up by numerous
incandescent electric lights. AT the
after-end of this deck is the first
saloon smoking-room, the ladies'
drawing-room, and large lounge
being on the forward part. The ex-
tensive poop deck, 1l2 feet long, is
in line with the promenade deck
another OF the special features for
which these ships will be noted.
The second saloon slnoking-room
and lounge are placed here. Below
this on the upper deck, forward and
aft, are the dining saloons for the
first and second saloon passengers.
These spacious halls are sumptu-
ously fitted, and by their situation,
so high above the water-linc, enable
the passengers at all times TO enjoy
the sea breeze, and affords them an
almost uninterrupted view. Shell
tered as the upper deck is by the
projection of the light promenade
deck, it will be much used for eXer-,
else in rough weather. The cabin
accommodation for 172 first saloon
passengers is on the main deck,
and space is also provided for a
very large number of second saloon
passengers on this and the lower
deck in two and four-berth cabins,
the former predominating. Below
this deck are the cargo spaces,
mail, baggage, bullion, and sample
rooms, besides store-rooms, and ex-
tensive refrigerating and insulated
chambers for the frozen meat trade,
and for the stowage and preserva-
ton of fruit and vegetables. Hyd-
raulic hoists are used for working
the cargo in and out of the ship, in
stead of the usual noisy steam
winches. In discussing the merits
of every ship, it is necessary to
Judge her with reference to safety,
comfort, and speed, and in applying
these tests to the Victoria and her
sister ships, she will be found to be
one of the most perfect, if not the
most perfect ship afoat. The dimen-
sions and lines have been fixed and
designed with special reference to
stability or power of righting, and
easy motion amongst waves. The
loss of the Oregon and the still
more appalling disaster connected
with the loss of the Kapunda, bring
ing home to the mind the fearful
peril of collision. TO obviate a
danger of this kind these vessels
have been specially planned to re-
duce sea and fire risks to mini
mum. The arrangements for water
tight, supervision have received the
satisfactory approval of the director
of naval construction, and fulfil the
stringent requirements necessary tC
qualify them as armed cruisers, and
in this connection it may be men
toned that provision has also been
made for discharging torpedoes,
For further security an unusually
large number of boats (twelve) have
been provided, and in addition there
are life-ralts, and life-belt is place.
ready for immediate use in eacl
berth in the ship. The vessel il
completely lighted by electricity
and to ensure efficiency in this res
pect, duplicate dynames are sup
piled. Electric search lights ant
fog horns are fitted for fogg,
weather, and for passing through
the Suez Canal at night. Witt
regard to the question of comfort
the spacious cabins have been made
larger than usual, most of them ar
designed to accommodate two pas
sengers only. Special care and at
tention has been given to light am
ventilation by skids, skylight, AN
: sidelights, also by the electric ligll
and mechanical system Of ventila
r ton to keep up constant supply c
, cool air in the tropics. The air i
the saloon cabins and between deck
can be entirely changed five or 81
, times an hour by mechanical vent
! lation above. The cabins are iitte
, with fold-up iron berths with sprin